Immutable Kingdom prt 3

The Immutable Kingdom – Part 3

By Scott A. Klaft

The Distinctive Marks of the Church (continued)

Having taken the “new name,” the member of the church is a citizen of the Kingdom and possesses the salvation promised (cf. Acts 4:12). This salvation is only offered “in Christ” (cf. 2Timothy 2:10), and being “in Christ” is only entered by a properly understood baptism (cf. 1Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27).

Christ, as the King of His Kingdom, ruling from Heaven (cf. 1Peter 3:22), delegated a small amount of authority to certain men (cf. 2Timothy 2:12) to form a distinctive government. These men are called by several names depending on what perspective the scriptures are viewing their work. They are called “elders” (Acts 20:7), “pastors” (Ephesians 3:11), “overseers” (Acts 20:28), “shepherds” (1Peter 5:1-4), “presbytery” (1Timothy 4:14), and “bishops” (1Timothy 3:1). They always refer to the same group of men who collectively have the same ‘office’ or responsibilities. They have qualifications to meet before serving in such capacity, described by the apostle Paul in 1Timothy 3:1-7, and Titus 1:5-9. A plurality of these men is always found, or none at all. The responsibility of the “eldership” is in seeing to the expediency of the work of the individual congregation to which they are members, and that it is done in a scriptural manner. It is in this sense that they “watch for [our] souls” (Hebrews 13:17). These are not necessarily the preachers since Timothy and Titus delivered the qualifications and were not themselves elders. The elders may allocate certain duties to men who fulfill a special office of servitude called “deacons” (cf. 1Timothy 2:8-13).

The eldership is burdened with making sure that the church stays true to the distinctive doctrine of Christ. “Doctrine” means teaching. It is important that each person lives true to the teachings of Christ (not simply “about Christ”) to be right with God (cf. 2John 9). One obeys the gospel in the likeness of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection (cf. Romans 6:3, 4) which is a part of the doctrine of Christ, but it continues after that into a life of servitude to God (cf. Romans 6:17, 18).

If all members will fuse themselves to the teachings of the New Testament, you will find that another distinctive mark is that of unity. Unity is something for which Jesus prayed (cf. John 17:20, 21) and can be had through the essential facts revealed by God (cf. Ephesians 4:1-6). Unity can only be had by all parties cleaving to the truth.

When a member of the church studies and applies the teachings of the New Testament to their lives, they will continually be involved in good works (cf. Titus 2:7). It is not left up to men to decide what works are “good” for them to do. No, these good works were decided by God before the creation began (cf. Ephesians 2:10).

The church is also described in scripture by offering a distinctive worship. The worship of the Old Testament was but a shadow of the true worship of the New Testament. Once it was done in a specific earthly location, whereas now, it is done within the spirit of the man (cf. John 4:23, 24). There are five things done as New Testament worship in the scripture when they did it in the first century: preaching/ teaching (cf. Acts 20:7), praying (cf. 1Timothy 2:1-8), singing (cf. Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16), giving of their means (cf. 1Corinthians 16:1, 2) and partaking of the Lord’s Supper (cf. Acts 20:7; 1Corinthians 11:18-30). Notice that in many of those passages, some things were only done on “the first day of [every] week,” while other things could be done any time, yet still regulated by scriptural form.

The Message and Mission of the church:

Another part of the work of the church is its mission of delivering the message of God to the world. This is important enough that it deserves at least a brief mention before moving on in history when men departed from the distinctive pattern found within God’s divine revelation.

(Continued next week)

Immutable Kingdom Part 2

The Immutable Kingdom Part 2

By Scott A. Klaft

The Distinctive Marks of the Church:

The church Jesus promised to build in the first century (cf. Matthew 16:18) is described as a single entity belonging to the Savior. Although the “churches of Christ” (cf. Romans 16:16) are separated by location, they are still considered “one”, meaning they have unity. The distinctive characteristics of each individual congregation are identical to every other congregation and are therefore identified with each other. If we desire to be among those belonging to, and are saved by Christ, it behooves us to ascertain and assume these characteristics.

Some of the most controversial practices of the church are brought up in casual conversation because a lack of understanding that the church must have authority for what it does and teaches. The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Colossae: “And whatsoever ye do in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…” (Colossians 3:17). A distinctive mark of the church is its attitude toward the “name of” or authority of Christ. While some try to justify their wants and desires with the attitude that says, “The Bible doesn’t say we can’t do it”, the central matter is that if the Bible does not authorize it in some way, then we cannot rightly do it “in the name of the Lord”. Men have no right to bind or loose things where God specifies what He wants and reveals it to us in the scriptures.

Many of the distinctive marks of the church are interrelated. For instance, conversion from the world of lost souls to Christ is related to several other things that will be discussed. There is, however, a definite pattern to be followed when a person was converted in the first century. Despite the fact there are many forms of conversion found in the religious world, there can be only one true way that is authorized by God.

Jesus told his disciples to go throughout the world, preaching the gospel (cf. Mark 16:15). As they preached, there were those who believed the message (cf. Acts 17:34). Those convicted they were lost in sin (cf. Ephesians 2:12), that Jesus died (cf. Luke 23:46), was buried (cf. Matthew 27:60), was raised from the dead (cf. Mark 16:6) to ascend into Heaven (cf. Acts 1:9) and to rule over His spiritual Kingdom (cf. Acts 2:33) – these are candidates for conversion. Having such belief, they willingly turn from sin (cf. Acts 17:30), and confess with the mouth (cf. Romans 10:10) that they “believe that Jesus is the Son of God” (cf. Acts 8:37; Matthew 16:16, 17). Then, in recognition of such authority, they are baptized, that is to say, immersed in water (cf. Acts 8:36, 38) for the forgiveness of sin (cf. Acts 2:38, 41; 22:16; Colossians 2:12; 1Peter 3:21), which is when the Lord places them among the saved in His church (cf. Acts 2:47). This is the distinctive, biblical conversion to Christ (cf. Acts 3:19) and no other is authorized or effective.

When one is placed among the saved in the church of Christ, they are given a new name, as it was prophesied in Isaiah 62:2, “…and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.” As the wife is to a husband, so also is the church to Christ (cf. Ephesians 5:21-33). The wife takes the name of her husband, as we read in Acts 11:26, “…And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” If one were to study the Greek language in that sentence, they would discover it was not man that called them Christians, but they were given that name by the divine fiat of God. This is the only name by which one who belongs to God may be called. The names given to religious institutions today are not authorized by God; and, they are therefore belittling that glorious name of Christ Jesus. There are other biblical synonyms such as disciples, or saints, but “Christian” is the most accurate and definitive.

(Continued next issue) May God Bless You All

Immutable Kingdom Part 1

The Immutable Kingdom Part 1

By Scott A. Klaft

An Introduction:

Amid the multitude of discussions concerning individuals and the religious institutions to which they belong, a wide variety of issues are raised: who started which group; the times, the dates and the places of origin are all bantered about endlessly. Invariably, someone will make the claim that their religious affiliation can trace its history back through the ages, to the time when God first instituted it. Amazingly, some have gone so far as to say they have traced their religious lineage back to the construction of Solomon’s Temple, or, even more shockingly, back to Adam and Eve.

Clearly, people today have lost sight of the significance of the church in God’s scheme of redemption. This can only be due to the lack of knowledge concerning the church in history. Examining Ephesians 4:4-6, even a cursory perusal reveals that there is “one body” as plainly as it does the “one faith”, with no less emphasis than the “one Lord” and “one God and Father of all”. What is that “one body”? The same book reveals that it is the church (Eph. 1:22, 23). Why is that important? The same book states that Jesus gave himself for, and is the Savior of that “body” (Eph. 5:23-32).

The consequence, therefore, of deciding upon which religious “body” and which “faith” to accept, is monumentally important. Our soul’s salvation depends upon it, considering that the wrong choices will lead to the wrong “body.” The need to understand the history, devolution, and perseverance of the church is particularly compelling. Thus, our intensions for this series is to give edification to the Christian and non-Christian alike that all might come to the knowledge and principles of biblical truth, and ultimately lay hold on eternal life.

It is not necessary to be able to trace the lineage of the church backward through history. Daniel revealed that the church God set up would never be destroyed (Daniel 2:44). Though it may have disappeared from human view or material record, it does not necessarily mean it was ever destroyed or missing.

If one believes the Bible is the mind of God revealed to man, then the logical avenue to identify the church’s characteristics is to look to the scriptures. This we shall briefly do, with this caveat: It is not within the scope of this series to prove and substantiate every affirmation, but we offer this information for the purpose of giving a starting point from which to study. Having an understanding of the first century pattern, the historical falling away from that pattern becomes easier to recognize. Seeing the development of apostasy, we can better understand just how difficult the struggle to return to the pattern truly was, and therefore, our appreciation for those principles that bring the church back into historical view incrementally gives growth to our conviction.

The practical usage and lessons from the past is nearly limitless. We can learn the true pattern of the church, and thus imitate it, and become the church itself. We can learn the pattern that brings about a falling away and guard against it, hence, preserving the church. We may learn of the struggles and errors that grew out of those trying to reform the church in its apostatized state, and guard against the same. We can embrace the pattern of the dignity, character, courage, and honesty of hearts that restore the church of Christ from within. However, no cliché has ever been more apropos than, “He who does not learn from history is destined to repeat it.” We have the church of Christ in reality today, but only in so far as every individual adheres to the truth and retains the principles that maintain it within themselves. That is the objective of the restorative call.

The Church:

Although the Bible does not provide a direct statement of it, God was in the process of preparation for the birth of the church in Old Testament times by means of promise and prophesy. For example, there are the promises given to the “father of the faithful”, Abraham. One of the more pointed: “…the LORD had said unto Abram… in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (cf. Genesis 12:1-4). This promise is explained to be fulfilled in Christ (Galatians 3:16-29). Another promise was given to “the man after God’s own heart,” king David: “…I will set up thy seed after thee… and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever” (2Samuel 7:4-17). This was fulfilled in the establishment of the church (cf. Mark 9:1; Acts 1:8; 2:1-4, 47).

There were also prophesies given about the man sent before the Savior. Isaiah said, “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD…” (Isaiah 40:3-5). John, the son of Zacharias was the fulfillment (cf. Matthew 3:3). Malachi made reference to the same man when he said, “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me…” (cf. Malachi 3:1). Clearly, the time for the church to come was near when both John the baptizer and Jesus were preaching, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand” (see Matthew 3:2; 4:17).

Reading through the New Testament’s description and teachings, the church impresses us as the definitive completion of God’s purpose from eternity (cf. Ephesians 3:10, 11). Ask yourself, would the structure or function of something so important to God be left to the whims, pleasures, or passions of men who could not guide themselves in the first place (cf. Jeremiah 10:23)? In view of the deathly ways of man (cf. Psalm 14:12), even common sense bellows a resounding “no”.

(Next: The Distinctive Marks of The Church)